THE chief executive of Rainbows Hospice, Andy Campbell, has left the position after 18 months to return to a career in IT.

The hunt to find a new leader to run the Loughborough hospice, which cares for children and young people with life-shortening and life-limited illnesses, is underway.

It has been advertised with a salary of £70,000 to £80,000 with a comprehensive benefits package.

Mr Campbell took over at the helm of the hospice when Geoff Ellis retired after holding the position for 12 years. Mr Campbell’s first visit around the hospice was in 2010 when the Building for the Future project to create a £4m extension was taking shape.

Read More

With a background in aeronautical engineering and system analysis, Mr Campbell and a business partner set up an IT consultancy company in 1992 before developing a software product for charities called thankQ. This was rolled out to more than 300 charities including Rainbows.

He joined Rainbows as chief executive in January 2015.

Until the position has been filled, Mandy Ashton OBE has been appointed as interim CEO.

The hospice says she has more than 36 years of experience working in health care.

Read More

Starting out as a nurse, she has worked as a leader at board level in all types of health settings as well as leading the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at De Monfort University.

She said: “I am looking forward to leading the team at Rainbows until the appointment of the new permanent CEO. Rainbows has a wonderful workforce and I feel very proud to have this opportunity.”

Dianne Postle, chair of trustees at Rainbows, added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Andy, who has given many years of support to Rainbows.

“Few of us can begin to understand how it feels to be a child or young adult with a life-limiting condition – or a member of their family. But we can all understand that they deserve the very best care and support.

“Here at Rainbows, that’s exactly what we aim to provide for children and young adults across the East Midlands. Working within a purpose-built hospice and a growing community-based service, our team of staff delivers individualised palliative and respite care at a time when families need us the most.

“There are very few jobs like this one, so it will take someone very special to succeed in delivering the loving, compassionate care that we’re renowned for.

“It’s an exciting time to be joining Rainbows as we have ambitious plans to extend our services.”